The aurora belt · NORTHERN LIGHTS DINNER TOURS IN REYKJAVIK
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 northern lights dinner tours in Reykjavik worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
Leave Reykjavik by bus with guides such as Barbara, Darren, Kristi, or Pierre, then follow the weather toward darker skies. Expect a four-hour search with several outdoor stops, aurora facts, photo help, and hot cocoa. If the lights stay hidden, you can join one free retry tour.
“Mesmerising! Very informative tour guide. We were very lucky to see such a brilliant show of the lights.”
Leave Reykjavík by minibus with up to 19 people and chase clear skies using aurora and weather forecasts. Guides such as Baldvin, Michaela, Devin, and Simon combine folklore, science, photography, hot chocolate, Icelandic pastries, and wool blankets. Sightings are not guaranteed, but an unsuccessful tour can be repeated free when space allows.
“Our guide Devin was knowledgeable, entertaining and went above and beyond to ensure we had an opportunity to view the northern lights! He provided historical and cultural background about Iceland as well as scientific information concerning the Aurora as he drove us all over, north of Reykjavik, stopping several times at different spots, each time setting up his camera to try to find them. Finally, at around 1 AM, he said that it didn't look promising, and was time to turn back. We were advised to immediately email the tour company to reschedule a second trip, per the contract. As we drove back to Reykjavik, though, we couldn't help notice…”
Leave Reykjavik by bus with guides such as Darren, Simon, Eva, or Barbara, then chase clear skies around Thingvellir and nearby countryside. Expect about four hours, several possible stops, hot chocolate when conditions allow, and one free return trip if the aurora stays hidden.
“Although I didn’t get to see a lot of northern lights, the experience was amazing and the guide was lovely and very entertaining.”
Leave Reykjavik’s city lights behind and search for the Aurora Borealis with an English-speaking guide such as Atli or Rachel. Expect a warm coach, several possible photo stops, practical camera tips, hot chocolate, and a free retry or reschedule when conditions prevent a sighting.
“Beautiful aurora❤️ We had a wonderful time taking many photos while the shape changes. Actually the activity of aurora was low on the day we saw it and at times it was cloudy. But we still saw it because the guide found a good place with good timing. We had a very good experience. It contrasted with what I saw at Rovaniemi, where there were high activities of aurora when I went there. They were just different, which increases my experience and knowledge. The only thing is that we went to 3 spots, and the last 2 we didn't see anything. We wanna return and got to bed earlier as…”
Leave Reykjavik with an English-speaking guide such as Baldvin, Devin, or Simon, then follow the clearest skies in a minibus of up to 19 people. You’ll stop at dark viewing spots, learn how auroras form, warm up with cocoa and kleina, and receive free professional photos if the lights appear.
“Incredible night seeing the best solar rays hitting the atmosphere the sun had to give that night. Einar the guide is definitely an aurora borealis enthusiast and he drove to the darkest places away from the city lights. It was always safe and comfortable in the bus. He managed to provide his own pastries and home produced hot chocolate for the people on the tour. The only time we didn’t see the northern lights is when we went through the tunnel in the mountain. Safe and comfortable tour. I recommend for sure. Not sure how Einar would be with the aurora australis though.. there are no Icelandic elves down that…”
Leave Reykjavík with guide and photographer Heimir, who follows cloud and aurora forecasts to find a dark viewing spot. You’ll get a warm snowsuit, outdoor chair, hot cocoa, Icelandic snacks, camera help, and unlimited high-resolution photos, with a free retry if the lights do not appear.
“We’ve been hunting for northern lights for two nights! It was for the first time when I saw them and they were amazing! I was leaving on Friday and I just wanted to try seeing them again! Heimir picked us on time and took us to the right place in the country side! He was not only an excellent expert on this matter but also passionate and incredible devoted to our group making sure we got the best conditions possible to see the lights! That night Mother Nature was with us and we’ve experienced the most intense amazing unforgettable northern lights ever! Will treasure this moment forever! Highly recommend this…”
Leave Reykjavik by minibus with an aurora guide such as Niklas, Palli, or Arnie, searching clear skies beyond city lights. You get hot cocoa, chocolate, blankets, Wi-Fi, and free photos when the lights appear. The four-hour trip runs from mid-September to mid-April for groups of up to 28.
“Our tour guide Palli (I believe), was excellent. He was so knowledgeable and informative. We learned so much on our hunt for the light. When he spotted them he immediately knew where to go for us to get the perfect pictures.”
Set out from Reykjavik in a minibus of up to 18 people, following cloud gaps to find the aurora. Guides such as Alex, Juliana, Nelu, and Jonas have helped guests spot faint lights and capture portraits. The tour includes hot chocolate, an Hraun chocolate bar, WiFi, and digital photos.
“Once in a lifetime experience! Highly recommended for all ages! Would love to do it again during my next visit!”
Leave Reykjavik with an English-speaking aurora guide such as JP, Ody, or Mikael, following the clearest forecast beyond city lights. Stop at dark sites for photos, learn the science and myths, warm up with cocoa, and return free if the lights do not appear.
“Had an amazing experience! Our tour guide Alex help us to catch the Northen Lights.”
You’ll leave central Reykjavik in a heated minibus and follow cloud cover and aurora forecasts to a darker viewing spot. The 3.5-hour trip includes hotel pickup, an English-speaking guide, hot chocolate, a chocolate bar, and digital photos, though photo service can vary by guide.
“Our guide did not talk at all, did not explained anything. I booked this tour because it said it included photos and our guide first took us to a spot not far from the city and just told us to waitZ we stayed there for an hour until someone asked him if we can go to other place. When we got to the new spot he just parked and waited at the bus. No photos or anything.”
Start with Kopar’s six-course Adventure Menu at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, then walk one minute to Special Tours for a 2.5-hour aurora cruise. You get warm coveralls, onboard commentary, and a free retry if weather prevents the outing, but drinks and the northern lights themselves are not guaranteed.
“WOW. The dinner at Kopar was phenomenal, it blew me and my husband away. The ship was spacious, clean and a relaxed trip. They had refreshments on board as well. We did not see the lights the first night and appreciate that we get another chance to see them for free. Fingers crossed!”
Leave Reykjavík by warm bus with guides such as Tomas, Thomas, or Nebo, then seek clear skies beyond the city glow. Expect aurora folklore and science, hot chocolate, possible Icelandic donuts, hand warmers, and professional photos if conditions cooperate.
“I think this was the perfect way to view the lights. Nebo was a fantastic tour guide who was extremely knowledgeable and took us to some amazing spots. The hot chocolate and hand warmers were an excellent touch. Also his photos are amazing. I would highly recommend going on this tour in particular. Small group experience is so much better.”
Leave Reykjavík in a comfortable Sprinter minibus and chase clear skies with an English-speaking guide. Nordur Travel monitors weather and solar activity, serves hot chocolate and Icelandic pastries, and takes photos beneath the aurora. Pickup is available from hotels, guesthouses, and ports.
“Piotr did a fantastic job putting us on some pretty amazing dancing lights. Very good historian and story teller.”
Leave Reykjavík in a winter-ready 4x4 Sprinter and chase clear skies with an English-speaking guide. You’ll stop far from city lights, warm up with cocoa and chocolate, and receive Northern Lights photos. No sighting means unlimited retries for three years, though later retries use a minibus.
“A great guide! Found a lovely quiet spot to see the lights and got some great shots too. Obvs it depends on nature whether you get to see them but nature showed up for us. :)”
You’ll ride from Reykjavik with local guide Thor Sigurdsson in a private Jeep, soak in mineral-rich waters at the Secret Lagoon, eat dinner at a family-run restaurant, then search for the aurora. Hotel pickup, hot chocolate, photos, and a soda with dinner are included.
“My father and I visited Iceland at the end of September as a father-son bonding trip and for my dad to visit his roots (his grandfather was from Iceland). In any case, I really wanted to see the Northern Lights. We booked a tour with Thor and it Read more”
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